Public Lecture: One man’s fight against the Taliban bomb-makers

Guest speaker Kim Hughes GC

Venue: The Chancellor's Hall, University of Wolverhampton, City Campus North, Wulfruna Street,WV1 1LY

Free lecture, open to all. Booking not required.

About the lecture

“This will be a talk about science, bombs, and what happens to the human psyche when every day you go to work might be your last" said Professor George Kassimeris, Chair in Security Studies at the University.

“The back drop to Kim Hughes’ lecture is the Afghan War, the conflict where the cold courage of the bomb disposal operator rose to national prominence. No other field of warfare offers the chance of a single individual to come so close to his enemy and fight out a battle of wits where losing can mean death.”

About the speaker

Kim Hughes GC is the most highly decorated bomb disposal operator serving in the British Army. He was awarded the George Cross in 2009 following a gruelling six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan during which he defused 119 improvised explosive devices, survived numerous Taliban ambushes and endured a close encounter with the Secretary of State for Defence. None of these fearless bomb disposal experts has ever come forward to tell their heroic story.

Hughes was born in Germany, where his father was serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and returned to England in 1985. He lived in Weston-super-Mare until 1988 when he moved to Telford. There he was educated at Thomas Telford School.

His autobiography, Painting the Sand, was published in June 2017 and is an international bestseller. Hughes will sign copies of his book at the end of the lecture at the discounted price of £10 (RRP £18.99). Please bring correct change.